Marriage Equality in Maine!

Maine Gov.Â John E. Baldacci has signed into law LD 1020, “An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom.”

In announcing his decision, Baldacci said he has “followed closely the debate” in his state in recent weeks as the issue passed through Maine’s House and Senate, and that he has “weighed my decision carefully.” He also said he “appreciate[s] the tone brought to this debate by both sides” and that he believes there are “good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question.â€
Although he has in the past opposed same-sex marriage while supporting civil unions, Baldacci said today he has “come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage. … Article I in the Maine Constitution states that â€˜no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that personâ€™s civil rights or be discriminated against.â€™â€

Baldacci stressed that the law does not force any church to recognize same-sex marriages, but simply “guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

The governor acknowledged that there is likely to be a voter referendum on the issue. But in the meantime, he said, it is his duty to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do.”google adwrodsраскрутка сайта гарантии